A chat with fashion stylist Tharanga Seneviratne.. 

The journey of searching for the perfect profession can start at a young age. Fashion designer and stylist Tharanga Seneviratne joined Buddhi Batiks where she worked as a fashion designer, where she was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Darshi Keerthisena who was an amazing mentor. She learned quite a lot from her and that experience was the initial building block to her career, she adds. Now Tharanga is a freelance stylist for TV commercials as well as a fit model for one of the leading fashion labels in Sri Lanka.

How did you become a professional fashion stylist?

While working at Buddhi Batiks I met Ilango Ram, one of the renowned commercial directors. In fact, I acted in one of his commercials. What I got to wear in it convinced me that I could do a better job behind the camera rather than in front of it. So that’s how I got in to styling. I was a part-time stylist while working at Buddhi Batiks. And gradually styling became my full-time profession. And I enjoy every minute of it.

Where do you find your inspiration for your work?

Well, it depends on the kind of projects I get. Most of the commercials are based on day-to-day life events. In that situation, current fashion trends become irrelevant. When I get a script, more than browsing these popular fashion trend sites, I try to understand the character and their role in the commercial. I work closely with the client and the director to understand their brand and how the brand is associated with the commercial. For instance, brand colours play an important role in choosing  the costumes. The costumes should also suit the selected models. Sticking to a long list of requirements, a professional stylist should have a good idea about how the costumes would look on camera. 

Your styling process?

How I style each person depends on the brand requirement as well as that person’s height, complexion and body type. Different kind of fabrics work for each and every person. Especially when I style celebrities, I have to be careful as they have a certain kind of style they usually appear with and they are comfortable with. I believe there’s no one who knows what suits you better than you, yourself. So I always make it a point to discuss it with the model also as to what goes with them. This applies mostly for custom made designs rather than the clothes I buy off the shelf.

What skills and qualities do you need to succeed as a fashion stylist?

First of all, you have to have the background in fashion and know your basics. You have to really know the colours, designs, fabric, and be on alert of what’s in trend. Patience is also a must. When you are dealing with a lot of people on one project, there are many points of view involved. It is a very trying job, but a rewarding one.

What do you like and dislike about your job?

I get to shop for a living what else can a girl ask for? It gets really stressful at times I must say. You are given a very short period of time to look for a certain colour, a certain design, a certain size while staying within a certain budget. There are days I go to almost all the shops in Colombo without finding what I’m looking for. It is basically like a treasure hunt challenge. Until you find the treasure, you cannot give up. I have always liked running around looking for stuff and putting a look together rather than doing a desk job. I like meeting new people every day.

On a final note, what advice would you give young talent in Sri Lanka?

Keep working hard, be strong and NEVER ever give up no matter how difficult it gets. A lot of people think fashion and advertising is only glam and sparkle that you see on TV or on the ramp. Only those who are on the inside know the amount of hard work and patience it requires. Nothing is easy. So no matter how high the tide is, keep swimming and never look for the shore.

By Sandra De Zilva